A home appraisal is often not a priority for many home buyers and sellers when it should be. This is because a home appraisal is what offers protection to both buyer and lender from paying a greater price than the original one.
Moreover, it helps in determining the worth of a home for the seller, the buyer, and of course, the lender.
What Is a Home Appraisal?
A home appraisal is the estimated, objective value of a property. A licensed appraiser, who has no connection to the home lender, seller, or buyer, conducts the appraisal.
A home appraisal is provided after a thorough inspection of the condition and location of the property, including comparable sales and the latest market trends.
While home appraisals are not meant to be available as public records, they make use of public property records documents to add value and support the appraisals.
Furthermore, if you are looking to purchase a home, you will need to opt for a home appraisal. This is because, without it, no credible or reputed financial institution will let you borrow money to purchase a house. In fact, they are a strict requirement when it comes to the most real estate transactions
In addition to this, a home appraisal can be of immense help for the lender as it can assist them in understanding the home’s value and whether or not it should be put on sale sooner than later.
How can you improve home appraisal?
Before an appraiser swings by, you can follow the below-mentioned steps to make the most of it.
1) The property is in good shape
Your property should be appealing and something that reflects a great deal of potential. Make sure you have done the basic fixes such as repairing the cracked walls, mowing that lawn, or trimming those hedges.
2) Make a list of all the recent home improvements
Make sure to put out a note if your property has undergone some recent home improvements, such as a new roof or an upgraded furnace. Such features can increase a home’s value. Hence, it is always recommended to point them out!
3) Tidy up that yard
Even the littlest of things can cast a huge impact! This includes cosmetic fixes such as repairing the passageways or making sure that mailboxes are numbered.
These might look minor changes but can make or break your home’s value. So, watch out!